1015. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the benefits and legacy that will be delivered to the country from hosting the Ryder Cup in Ireland in 2027; the projected cost to the State; the financial and social benefits that will come from the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44099/26]

Major international sporting events can play a key role in increasing sporting participation, boosting domestic and international tourism and promoting Ireland as a destination for education and business opportunities. They present a wonderful opportunity to showcase the island of Ireland and our world-class tourism and sport offering to Europe and the world.

The Ryder Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and the 2027 edition in Adare, Co Limerick will mark the centenary of the event. It will be one of the largest global sporting events in 2027, with over 250,000 people likely to attend, a worldwide television audience in excess of 300 million and social media impressions measured in billions. The 2006 Ryder Cup in Co Kildare was worth €143 million to the Irish economy and the 2027 event is expected to significantly exceed this figure, and be a catalyst to drive tourism and other economic benefits for the whole island of Ireland over the coming years.

On 26 July 2019, after an extended period of consideration and negotiation, including an assessment of the costs and benefits, the Government approved:

(i) an offer to the European Tour for the event of up to €31 million which would cover:

(a) a licence fee of €22.5 million not including VAT which is paid by the Irish Exchequer

(b) additional financial support of €8.5 million for the annual Irish Open golf tournament and other golf tour event supports; and

ii) in parallel, the provision of €8 million, for marketing of the Ryder Cup in Ireland through and with the European Tour.

The above figures are exclusive of VAT which will be in the order of €5 million.

The Government also agreed in principle to an allocation of €14.275 million for the operational budget to support the staging of the tournament. These costs include transport, security, local authority costs, ceremonies and fanzones.

Although the license fee, VAT payment, tournament supports, and marketing budget remain unchanged, the operational budget for the event was estimated in 2019 prior to COVID-19 and recent international conflicts that have led to global supply chain pressures and significant cost of living increases. It is therefore reasonable to presume that the costs associated with the operational budget would have increased in line with the potential benefits from hosting the event. A continuous review of the operational budget (transport, security, local authority costs, etc) is taking place in parallel with the strategic planning to host the event which is governed by the Government Steering Group. A full economic analysis will be conducted post-event to evaluate the total economic impact of Ryder Cup 2027.

As for legacy, in February of this year I announced funding of up to €5.7 million to help ensure that the 2027 Ryder Cup produces a lasting legacy in Adare, in the wider Limerick region and in Ireland as a whole.

A number of key legacy projects in Adare have been identified which will be of future benefit to the Adare community and to the wider county as a whole, including:

• Refurbishment and extension of Adare Village Hall

• Refurbishment of Adare Heritage Centre

• Enhancement of the Adare Public Realm

• Tree planting sustainability initiative.

In addition to legacy infrastructure, leveraging the Ryder Cup to enable Ireland to become an even more attractive golf destination will maximise the return on investment in future years. It is estimated that golf tourism will grow by an additional 2% per annum for up to 5 years after the event.

In engaging with major international sports events, the importance of delivering a lasting impact on the sport’s development at both participation and high performance levels is recognised. In the lead-up to the 2027 Ryder Cup, Sport Ireland continues to provide oversight of Golf Ireland’s Legacy Programme, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and funding. For 2026, the Sport Ireland Board has allocated €250,000 (Year four of funding) to support its implementation.

Golf Ireland’s Legacy Programme is structured around three strategic pillars:

• Expanding Access – Increasing opportunities for everyone to play and try golf.

• Building Inclusivity – Developing a more inclusive and adaptable golf environment that supports sustainable participation.

• Creating Pathways – Supporting progression through a defined golfing pathway from grassroots to elite levels.

Finally, my Department is also developing a golf legacy infrastructure scheme to underpin a growth in accessible golf infrastructure with a particular focus on non-traditional golfing communities in order to support growth in participation in the game. I expect that this scheme will be launched shortly.